The Minister for Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has called for urgent action to preserve Ghana’s indigenous languages, emphasizing their role in national identity and cultural heritage.
She made this appeal in a statement on the floor of Parliament on Friday, February 21, 2024, to commemorate International Mother Language Day.
She highlighted that this annual observance underscores the global commitment to linguistic diversity and the protection of mother tongues. Ghana, a multilingual nation with over 80 languages, risks losing many of these due to urbanization, globalization, and their limited use in education and public life.
Citing UNESCO data, she noted that about 40% of the world’s population lacks access to education in a language they understand, a challenge Ghana also faces. The decline of native languages, she warned, threatens cultural identity and the transmission of indigenous knowledge across generations.
Commending Parliament for its recent efforts to promote local languages, she referenced the landmark decision announced on February 15, 2024, by former Second Deputy Minority Leader, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, to integrate local languages into parliamentary proceedings under Order 63 of the Standing Orders. This initiative includes interpretation and translation services, ensuring inclusivity in national discourse.
However, she expressed concern over the slow implementation of this policy, urging Parliament to provide the necessary resources and infrastructure to make it fully operational.
She praised Mr. Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah for his advocacy for the preservation of the Nzema language and his push for greater emphasis on teaching local languages at all levels of education.
She noted that discussions on this issue last year sparked conversations about integrating indigenous languages into basic education to improve comprehension and foster cultural pride.
“Studies show that children who receive early education in their mother tongue develop better cognitive skills, stronger literacy foundations, and a deeper connection to their heritage,” she stated.
As the Member of Parliament for Ketu South, where Ewe is the predominant language, she reaffirmed her commitment to preserving and promoting indigenous languages across Ghana.
She urged all stakeholders, including government agencies and educational institutions, to take concrete steps in safeguarding Ghana’s linguistic diversity for future generations.
